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Last Updated: Sep 2009
Last Updated: Sep 2009
Wind power may also have an indirect effect on pollution at other production facilities, due to the need for reserve and regulation, and may affect the efficiency profile of plants used to balance demand and supply, particularly if those facilities use fossil fuel sources. Compared to other power sources, however, wind energy's direct emissions are low, and the materials used in construction (concrete, steel, fiberglass, generation components) and transportation straightforward. Wind power's ability to reduce pollution and greenhouse gas emissions will depend on the amount of wind energy produced, and hence scalability.
Large-scale wind energy facilities (wind farms) can be controversial due to aesthetic reasons and impact on the local environment. Modern wind farms make use of large towers with impressive blade spans, occupy large areas and may be considered unsightly. They usually do not, however, interfere significantly with other uses, such as farming. The impact on wildlife—particularly migratory birds and bats—is hotly debated, and studies with contradictory conclusions have been published. Two preliminary conclusions seem to be supported: first, the impact on wildlife is likely low compared to other forms of human and industrial activity; second, negative impacts on certain populations of sensitive species are possible, and efforts to mitigate these effects should be considered in the planning phase. Aesthetic issues are important in that the "visible footprint" may be extremely large compared to other sources of industrial power (which may be sighted in industrially developed areas), and wind farms may be close to scenic or otherwise undeveloped areas.
Large-scale wind energy facilities (wind farms) can be controversial due to aesthetic reasons and impact on the local environment. Modern wind farms make use of large towers with impressive blade spans, occupy large areas and may be considered unsightly. They usually do not, however, interfere significantly with other uses, such as farming. The impact on wildlife—particularly migratory birds and bats—is hotly debated, and studies with contradictory conclusions have been published. Two preliminary conclusions seem to be supported: first, the impact on wildlife is likely low compared to other forms of human and industrial activity; second, negative impacts on certain populations of sensitive species are possible, and efforts to mitigate these effects should be considered in the planning phase. Aesthetic issues are important in that the "visible footprint" may be extremely large compared to other sources of industrial power (which may be sighted in industrially developed areas), and wind farms may be close to scenic or otherwise undeveloped areas.
Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into more useful forms, usually electricity using wind turbines. Most modern wind power is generated in the form of electricity by converting the rotation of turbine blades into electrical current by means of an electrical generator. In windmills (a much older technology) wind energy is used to turn mechanical machinery to do physical work, like crushing grain or pumping water.
Wind power is used in large scale wind farms for national electrical grids as well as in small individual turbines for providing electricity to rural residences or grid-isolated locations. Wind energy is ample, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and mitigates the greenhouse effect if used to replace fossil-fuel-derived electricity.
Wind power consumes no fuel for continuing operation, and has no emissions directly related to electricity production. Wind power stations, however, consume resources in manufacturing and construction, as do most other power production facilities.
Wind power is used in large scale wind farms for national electrical grids as well as in small individual turbines for providing electricity to rural residences or grid-isolated locations. Wind energy is ample, renewable, widely distributed, clean, and mitigates the greenhouse effect if used to replace fossil-fuel-derived electricity.
Wind power consumes no fuel for continuing operation, and has no emissions directly related to electricity production. Wind power stations, however, consume resources in manufacturing and construction, as do most other power production facilities.
